Modiji 3.0
The present Modiji cabinet and coalition government at the center clearly demonstrate and send a clear message to the Sangh Parivar that hereafter it won’t remain a one-way path for the BJP to occupy the Central government eternally with the slogan of ‘Congress-free India.’ Realizing this, they accommodated some new faces in the Cabinet who were waiting patiently in the BJP while working sincerely for the party. Because there is no guarantee that the next government will be BJP-led.
This is, in one way, good for our democracy. The Sangh Parivar cannot take people for granted. In a democracy, more than ‘appeasement’ to win elections, not ‘hurting’ the religious sentiments of others, particularly the so-called ‘minorities,’ is very important. The reason for me to use ‘so-called’ is my firm conviction that in a true secular nation, there is no place for any religious minority. All are equal before the law and the constitution. Well, we all know why the ‘minority’ status was maintained, thanks to the divide-and-rule policy of the British, and it will still continue to remain in our country. Where politicizing religion and communalizing politics have now become the dharma of Indian politics, every party needs to maintain this status quo.
But in spite of the economic benefits and other benefits like removing triple talaq, almost the entire religious minority voted against the Sangh Parivar. This includes other non-Muslim minorities among them. Because the construction of the Ram Temple sent a clear message that the same could be done to some other disputed sites related to their faith.
Of course, I am also happy that a historical wrong was corrected, not through violence (as done by others in the past) but through the proper legal process. However, minorities are not going to view this matter as correcting a historical wrong through the legal process. Most of them might have agreed that an error was done, if not a mistake or crime in the past. But the present generation is not responsible for that. Of course, through mutual dialogue and mutual compromise, this issue could be resolved, though that might drag on eternally. But though justice is done through the proper judicial process, irrespective of the progress that the Modi government brought to all ‘including all’ (sab ka saath), still when someone’s religious and regional aspirations and sentiments are hurt, they know how to address it in a democracy. And the Sangh Parivar learned this.
But as we know well, that unlike all other organizations, the Sangh Parivar is not just another organization. It is also a people’s movement making slow but steady progress towards their goal of ‘Hindutva.’ A clear understanding of their history (1925 they are going to celebrate their century) and the way they work at the grassroots level, not minding the political events, is something unique from which all have to learn. I have tremendous respect for them as I have closely watched them—being from my own family. One thing is clear in their agenda: no hero worship and no one-man show—be it politics or in the Sangh organization. Though the Communists came closer to it, now, as they have reached the mortuary waiting only for a proper funeral, there is no comparison between the Sangh Parivar and the Communists.
But this is also a warning to Congress. This doesn’t mean they can return to their past glory that easily. To survive, they need the crutches of regional parties. Similarly, regional parties won’t hesitate to use Congress to consolidate their position and grip in their own states. By aligning with Congress, they never send any signal that they will vacate their position in the regions from which they alone ‘kicked’ Congress out.
For this, it has to sacrifice its own aspirations for a long time, including dynastic politics. Of course, the glue called Sonia or the First Family is essential to provide artificial unity among the various groups both at the state and all India levels. Until it becomes an organic part of Indian politics, that glue can serve its purpose. But if it is going to remain for a long time, it will stagnate the Congress in the present status quo, never allowing it to regain its past glory of providing an alternative to any other party at the Centre.
Anyhow, we need a strong opposition. At present, there is no other alternative than Congress. But as long as Congress is going to cling to the Sonia family, which still does the remote controlling, Congress has to work harder than the BJP to stop it from coming again to power.
For this, it has to sacrifice its own aspirations for a long time, including dynastic politics. Of course, the glue called Sonia or the First Family is essential to provide artificial unity among the various groups both at the state and all India levels. Until it becomes an organic part of Indian politics, that glue can serve its purpose. But if it is going to remain for a long time, it will stagnate the Congress in the present status quo, never allowing it to regain its past glory of providing an alternative to any other party at the Centre.
Well, I am not a political pundit to predict clearly. But like any other Indian, I have my own view which I share. As long as there is a stable central government and strong opposition with a free press and independent judiciary (non-interference of the army, like in Pakistan), India will continue to remain a remarkable example for all other democracies not only to learn from but to emulate our model of showing that, at the end, it is the People’s Republic where people have the ultimate say in who should govern. And as Kennedy rightly said, ‘people get the government they deserve.’ So WE PEOPLE also have a stake in this, and we also cannot take democracy for granted. Because if we deserve good governance, we need to choose a good government.
Modiji is a different kind of leader and also unique in several ways. Of course, it depends upon how one views him. Many admire him, many criticize him, and there are several who ‘hate’ and condemn him for his approach. Whatever one’s view about him, he or she cannot avoid him at present and also in the future. This coalition government will also give him a different kind of experience in his political career as he never ruled a government without an absolute majority of his own both in Gujarat and at the Center. So before he retires from active politics, better to do it when you are high in your life, hope he won’t have another experience of becoming an opposition leader. Then alone can he understand what it means to remain in opposition—both in his party and in government. Well, for a long time, his legacy will impact Indian politics, and in this sense, he will be remembered in Indian political history. So I hope he will be able to complete his full 3.0 doing the art of politics in which he is remarkable without any doubt.
Gurukulam
9-6-24
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